In a world where convenience drives customer decisions, embedded payments are quietly reshaping how we pay, interact, and transact. No longer just a technical add-on, embedded payments are becoming a competitive advantage. But what does that actually look like in practice?
In this article, we’ll break this down using real-world examples, showing how forward-thinking businesses are integrating seamless payment experiences into their platforms, and what it means for customer satisfaction, loyalty, and revenue growth.
What are embedded payments?
Embedded payments refer to the integration of payment processing directly within a platform, application, or service, enabling users to complete transactions seamlessly without needing to switch to a separate payment portal. This functionality is often tailored to blend naturally with the user experience, making transactions quicker, more intuitive, and frictionless. By embedding payments, businesses streamline the payment process and enhance convenience, which can lead to improved customer satisfaction and engagement.
Think of the last time you paid for an Uber ride. You didn't reach for your card. You simply stepped out of the vehicle and your payment was already processed. That, in essence, is an embedded payment—a transaction completed within the user experience, without disruption.
But this technology is not exclusive to ride-sharing. Today, embedded payment infrastructure is helping SaaS platforms onboard new customers faster, enabling fitness apps to process subscriptions seamlessly, and letting freelancers get paid instantly through marketplaces they already use.
In each case, payments become invisible—but their impact on satisfaction and retention is crystal clear.
Why embedded payments are becoming business-critical
Modern consumers expect immediacy. When a payment process feels clunky or redirects them away from the core experience, it chips away at trust. And trust, once broken, rarely returns.
For businesses, this friction isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a revenue leak. Abandoned carts. Unfinished subscriptions. Delayed onboarding. In some scenarios, embedded payments can plug those leaks.
But beyond smoother transactions, they offer a powerful edge:
- Stronger brand loyalty: Customers are more likely to return to platforms where their experience is seamless, and effortless payment processes build trust and satisfaction. This encourages repeat usage and long-term loyalty.
- Higher conversion rates: Simplifying the payment process reduces friction, leading to fewer drop-offs during checkout. A smoother journey means more completed transactions and better sales performance.
- New revenue streams: Beyond core offerings, platforms can generate additional income through transaction fees, premium features tied to payments, or financial add-ons like subscriptions or credit options.
Now, let’s bring that theory to life with a few real-world scenarios.
Examples of embedded payments: how companies are innovating
1. Empowering SMEs with real-time business banking: Countingup
Embedded payments aren’t just relevant to the B2C use-case, they are becoming increasingly adopted for B2B payments too. Countingup is a business banking and accounting app that simplifies financial admin for small businesses. Yet even with its powerful tools, one issue remained—traditional banking systems were slowing down how quickly users could access and manage funds.
By partnering with Edenred Payment Solutions, Countingup embedded advanced payment capabilities directly into its platform. This enabled real-time payments, instant account setup, and improved visibility into transactions—all powered through regulated e-money accounts.
The result? Customers gained faster, more intuitive access to their finances. This not only improved user experience but also gave Countingup a competitive edge in the crowded business banking space, helping them attract and retain a growing base of entrepreneurs and sole traders.
Read the full story on how Countingup leveraged embedded payments for better user experience
2. Revolutionising mobility with frictionless payments: PayByPhone
PayByPhone, one of the world’s fastest-growing mobile payment parking solutions, needed to make parking easier, faster, and more reliable—particularly for users on the move.
Working with Edenred Payment Solutions, PayByPhone embedded e-money accounts into their platform to enable real-time payment authorisation and improved funds management. The integration also included a bespoke, modular payment setup to adapt to local markets.
This solution meant users could pay for parking instantly and securely without leaving the app or navigating a slow checkout. It also helped PayByPhone expand into new regions while maintaining compliance and scalability, ultimately supporting their vision of transforming urban mobility experiences.
Read the full story on how PayByPhone is scaling via embedded payments
What this means for your business
If you're building a platform where users transact—whether that's buying, subscribing, renting or getting paid—embedded payments shouldn't be an afterthought.
They should be baked in from the start.
Because when payments become invisible, customers stay focused on what really matters: the value your service delivers.
So ask yourself: Are you making it easy enough for people to say yes?
The role of Edenred Payment Solutions in powering innovation
All these transformations share a common theme: payment integration that adapts to the business, not the other way around.
This is where Edenred Payment Solutions can support you.
Edenred Payment Solutions provides customisable embedded payment solutions tailored to complex business payment ecosystems. Companies can control business expenses more effectively and manage employee transactions with ease.
- Seamless in-app transactions
- Fast and secure user onboarding
- Real-time payments and automated reconciliations
- Scalable architecture that grows with your platform
What sets Edenred Payment Solutions apart is the ability to tailor solutions to the exact needs of each business. Whether you're launching a neobank, managing platform payouts, or creating loyalty-based reward systems, we can help you design payment experiences that fit your business vision.
Final thoughts on embedded payments
Embedded payments are no longer a trend. They're fast becoming the standard for how modern platforms operate and grow.
From wellness apps to business banking platforms, the examples speak for themselves: frictionless payments drive real business impact.
We provide solutions that deliver tailored embedded financial services that enhance both operational efficiency and customer engagement. By leveraging our expertise, businesses can provide innovative payment options, streamline transactions, and create a more cohesive user experience.
Our bespoke solutions are designed to meet the specific needs of your business, ensuring a perfect fit for your business ecosystem.
How we can help you with embedded finance
Explore how we can integrate financial services and take your product offering to the next level.
